Local Right to Education Task Force November 27, 2012

What does CASSP stand for? C hild and A dolescent S ervice S ystem P rogram

CASSP in Berks County Supported by County child serving agencies: Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/HealthChoices Children and Youth Juvenile Probation The Council on Chemical Abuse

CASSP “Philosophy” CASSP is based on a well-defined set of principles that guide the delivery of services for children, adolescents and their families. More of a “philosophy” for delivering services than a “program”

History of CASSP 1982 – National study found that two-thirds of all children with severe emotional disturbances were not receiving appropriate services – Congress appropriated funds for the CASSP Program which was envisioned as a comprehensive mental health system of care for children, adolescents and their families – Pennsylvania received a federal CASSP grant 1990 – Berks County established its CASSP Program 1991 – First CASSP Coordinator hired in Berks County

CASSP Principles Child Centered Family Focused Community Based Multisystem Culturally Competent Least restrictive/Least intrusive

Early Intervention Services Children from birth to three years of age may receive services if: The child has a significant delay in development The child has a physical disability The child has a condition which has a high probability for developmental delay Service Access and Management (Birth – 3) Berks County Intermediate Unit (age 3-5)

Mental Health Services Guide for Parents Seeking Mental Health Services for Children Medical Assistance – Community Care Behavioral Health – Hour Crisis intervention – Service Access and Management, Inc. (SAM)– Case Management Services Service Access and Management, Inc. New Story Devereux

Developmental Disabilities Services IDD – Intellectual Developmental Disabilities IQ score of 70 or below(prior to the age of 21) Contact Service Access and Management, Inc. ( ) Supports Coordination Two Waiver programs Consolidated (no cap) Person Family Directed (annual cap of $30,000 per person)

Children and Youth Services Services for abused and neglected children and their families Screening and Intake In-Home Services Placement and Adoption Family Group Decision Making Family Find Child Line – Berks County Children and Youth –

Juvenile Probation Office Supervises & provides services for youth who have committed a crime between the ages of 10 and 17 Responsible for holding offenders accountable by monitoring and enforcing Court orders and probation plans (can supervise youth to age 21) Probation officers assigned to each school district Evening Reporting Center Youth Aid Panels Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) Berks County JPO

The Council on Chemical Abuse Single County Authority for drug and alcohol services Prevention and Intervention Services Lending Library The Council Treatment Access Services Center (TASC) Evaluation and Case Management

Runaway and Homeless Youth BCIU Homeless Student Program Homeless student liaisons in every district Family Promise U-Turn program Youth who are still in school and homeless Not involved in any other child serving system Mediation/Case Management Shelter on a very limited basis

2-1-1 National number designated by the Federal Communications Commission Enables people to connect to local services quickly and easily with the guidance of a trained Information Call Specialist. Pennsylvania is one of the last states to implement the service Effective in Berks County with operating hours of Monday through Friday, 7 am to 6:30 pm. Regional call center in Lancaster Berks TALKLINE will maintain the database for Berks County resources

Alternate numbers

Other Places to find resources PA Families, Inc. Reading Area Community College Social Services web site Parent Source magazine hor Special Kids Network ty/special_kids_network/ ty/special_kids_network/14205

Support Groups Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance Numerous support groups SPELL – For parents with children involved in Special Education Autism Society For parents with children on the autism spectrum Down Syndrome Support Group – For parents who have children with down syndrome Parent to Parent of PA – Connects parents who have children with like diagnosis

Support groups for youth Teens Taking Flight – Abilities in Motion – transition age youth with any disability up to age 25 – social, recreational, educational SPECTRUM – Planned Parenthood LGBTQ youth age non-judgmental place for sexuality education, socialization, recreation, and peer support. Take Pride - Co-County Wellness Services/Berks AIDS Network – helping LGBTQ youth develop skills for healthy living in a safe environment Social Skills groups - Center for Pediatric Therapy various age groups – fee for services Respite/Groups - Easter Seals – various groups – fee for services

Questions? Sheila Bressler Berks County CASSP Coordinator MH/DD Program 633 Court Street, 15 th Floor Reading, PA ext.6584